Members of the USC Foundation receive a subscription to Cross Talk, a quarterly newsletter, which informs members of the latest news concerning backflow and cross-connection control. Cross Talk becomes an invaluable source of information and is a primary tool that the USC Foundation uses to communicate to its members directly. Become a member of the USC Foundation.

USC Foundation members are mailed the latest copy of Cross Talk every quarter. Any Cross Talk published more than a year ago is available to anyone for download here.

Below you will find an archive of Cross Talk dating back to 1967. All copies are available in Adobe PDF format. Get Adobe PDF Viewer.

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Cross Talk
Winter 2017

This issue explains the importance of maintaining a system and internal protection program by an administrative authority. Plus, articles about the various certification opportunities at Foundation training events, the importance of testing assemblies annually and introducing an updated field test form that includes fields for Type II detector assemblies.

Autumn 2016: Includes articles about what unintended results can occur in a water system when a backflow prevention assembly is installed in a water system, gifting an endowment to the USC Foundation, available complimentary webinars on demand, the availability of Working Together for Safe Water on You Tube and the availability of the 2017 USC List.

Summer 2016: Explaining what the term 'drip' means in the field test procedure for the double check valve backflow prevention assembly, how assemblies should be maintained when installed on recycle water systems, what additions to the test cock invalidate USC approval and a preview of the 2017 training schedule.

Spring 2016: Includes articles about the composition of backflow prevention detector assemblies and how to record their field test results. Plus, articles about testing assemblies that are installed vertically, an overview of the webinars on demand series and a guide to certification requirements in Southern California.

Winter 2016: Includes articles about how a recycled or grey water system may inadvertently create the possibility of cross-connections, installing a backflow prevention assembly in a vault or pit, using the Microsoft Excel version of the USC List and the reasons why the USC Foundation does not have a "Seal of Approval."

Cross Talk Archives

2016-2017

Winter 2017
Explains the importance of maintaining a system and internal protection program by an administrative authority. Plus, articles about the various certification opportunities at Foundation training events, the importance of testing assemblies annually and introducing an updated field test form that includes fields for Type II detector assemblies.

Autumn 2016
Explaining what unintended results can occur in a water system when a backflow prevention assembly is installed in a water system, gifting an endowment to the USC Foundation, available complimentary webinars on demand, the availability of Working Together for Safe Water on You Tube and the availability of the 2017 USC List.

Summer 2016
Explaining what the term 'drip' means in the field test procedure for the double check valve backflow prevention assembly, how assemblies should be maintained when installed on recycle water systems, what additions to the test cock invalidate USC approval and a preview of the 2017 training schedule.

Winter 2016
Recycled Water and Grey Water, Vaults, Pits and Assemblies, Memo available about modifications to any USC Approved Assemblies, Using Excel and the USC List, Changes to USC List Book for Members, Online Store Account, No USC Seal of Approval.

Spring 2015
Review the requirements and benefits of becoming a USC Approval program field test site, an introduction to the new Foundation online store, clarification regarding unofficial statements, using the USC List to verify approval along with a description of the 'notes' field and undersizing backflow prevention assemblies.

Winter 2015
An explanation of lead-free assemblies and their model designations which are found on the USC List, plus articles about Foundation Webinars, spool installations and the first DCDA-II and RPDA-II assemblies on the USC List.

Autumn 2014
A look at the USC Foundation's recognition reception for its charter and 25-year members, obituary for Al Jorgensen, discussing the usefulness of the No.1 test cock on a double check valve backflow prevention assembly and more about the Foundation's last 70 years.

Summer 2014
A look at the USC Foundation’s last 70 years, plus articles about field testing temporary assemblies, asking the question whether a failed assembly prevents backflow and looking at the Approval of Backflow Preventers brochure.

Spring 2014
A look at the installation guidelines for backflow prevention assemblies, obituary for Ernie Havlina, available certification at Training Courses and Cross-Connections in Household Plumbing Brochure.

Winter 2014
Explanation of lead-free spare parts on Foundation Approved Assemblies, practicing at the Foundation lab, 2014 USC List and highlighting the Working Together for Safe Water brochure.

Autumn 2013
Inside look at the USC Foundation's Approval Process, One Day Update Seminars, 25-Year Members and Gage Squirting.

Summer 2013
Are hydrants a concern for Cross-Connections? Foundation's Laboratory & Office Open House, RP Field Test, Spotlight: The Essentials of Cross-Connection Control, Power Point Presentation

October 1996
Testing the Second Check of the RP in the Direction of Flow, the Approval and Installation of "N" and "Z" Configured Assemblies, Rotating Assemblies on their Axes, What "spare parts only" means

July 1996
Testing a Vertical DC, PVBs with a Leaking No. 2 Shutoff Valve, How the Foundation Handles Complaints About Specific Approved Assemblies

December 1995
Handling Disc Compression on the DC, Proper Uses of the SVB, List of Acceptable Gages for Field Testing

August 1995
The
Foundation's Evaluation Versus the Foundation's Approval, A Comparison of the Laboratory Evaluation Processes of
the Foundation and the American Society of Sanitary Engineering

February 1995
Backflow Prevention Assembly Testers Preparing for Recertification, A Detailing of the Foundation's Approval Program, The Foundation's Internet Presence

November 1994
The Foundation's Fiftieth Anniversary Celebration, Comparing the DC Field Testing Methods, Historical Highlights on
the Foundation's Training Courses, Whether the Relief Valve Opens Fully When Field Testing the RP

July 1994
Direction of Flow Test for the No.2 Check Valve of the RP, Failing Assemblies, Foundation Highlights, Research Contract for Effective Metering Awarded to the Foundation, Walter Weight Obituary

February 1994
Ninth Edition Manual Published, Testing the DCDA and the RPDA, Foundation Celebrates 50 Years, Manual Dedicated to Walter Weight and William Whiteside

July 1993
Shut-Off Valves Added to the List, What is a Certificate of Compliance?, Changes in the Ninth Edition, Recertification

April 1993
Ninth Edition of Manual to Use New Testing Procedure, Why the Difference AVB vs. PVB, New Phone Number at the Lab, Detector Assemblies, CEUs Offered for Training Courses

January 1993
Changing a DC to an RP in the Field, Is a Cross-Connection Control Program Really Necessary, Training Courses Scheduled, The List of Approved Assemblies, AWWA 1993 Annual Conference and Exposition, Weather Protection for Backflow Preventers, Vertical Approvals, Training and Educational Tools

April 1992
Using the Right Backflow Preventer, Modifying Assemblies, Choosing the Right Assembly, Manual Review Committee Considers New Testing Method for the Double Check Assembly, New Feature on the List, The Essential of Cross-Connection Control A Graphic Slide Presentation, Cross-Connection Control Informational Brochures

November 1989
Conflicting RP Test Procedures, Recertification, What is a Resilient Seated Valve?, Foundation Received Research Grant, New Address for Foundation Office, Hosting a Training Course, Showing 'Working Together for Safe Water' on Cable TV

August 1989
Frozen Shut Off Valves, Working Together for Save Water Video, Relief Valve Opening Point, What is a Specialist, Foundation Moving to New Building, Who is Testing Backflow Preventers?

July 1970 (Special Issue)
Special Issue Prepared for the Participants and Attendees of the 5th International Water Pollution Research Conference and Exhibition, List of Approved Devices, Backflow Protection, Cross-Connection Control